Barkley has been a supporter of Howard throughout his career, even at times during this downward season. However, it seems that his opinions have changed with Barkley voicing concern over Dwight’s mental toughness. Comrade Shaquille O’Neal spoke some strong opinions about Howard this season, which Barkley didn’t always agree with. But on this morning’s show, Charles spoke candidly:
I’ve always subscribed to the theory that Dwight was a franchise player you can build your team around and Shaq does not think so. I gotta tell you something, I’m starting to side with Shaq a little bit.
Howard’s lack of toughness, for Barkley, exposes a huge problem for the Lakers. If Howard re-signs and Bryant only plays one more season, Dwight may not be able to handle the weight of a team on his back without Kobe, and therefore would not be a good investment.
As tough as it may be to hear, Barkley also had some choice words for Kobe Bryant. Kobe has been having a successful rehab so far, but that didn’t stop Charles from claiming Bryant will no longer be a dominant player.
Shaq took on a two-year-old last night, and the results were not what you would expect. Titus has been made famous on Youtube for his basketball trick shots and O’Neal, although known for his iffy free throw shooting, was one of the NBA’s greatest players. During the competition on Jimmy Kimmel, both competitors took to the line for a little friendly competition, with Titus the coming through to win. Check out the video here.
Lakers Nation News
Charles Barkley Does Not Believe Kobe Can Return to Dominant Player
Charles Barkley Questions Dwight Howard’s Mental Toughness, Alpha Status
Video: Shaq Loses To Two-Year-Old Titus In Shooting Competition
Mitch Kupchak Believes D’Antoni Will Be “Flexible” Next Season
Lakers News & Rumors Recap: Who’s The Best? Kobe, LeBron, Duncan
Lakers News
A Future Without Dwight Howard Would Entail a Thorough Rebuilding Process [Silver Screen and Roll]
The Path Forward for the Lakers is Less Complicated Without Dwight Howard [Silver Screen and Roll]
The Rembrandt of Basketball [The 6th Floor]
Blake’s 3-Point Efficiency [Lakers Blog]
Lakers Use Video App Vine to Show a Darius Morris Workout [latimes.com]
Does Kobe Bryant Need Dwight Howard with Lakers to Solidify Legacy? [Bleacher Report]
8 Takeaways From Dwight Howard Losing a Free-Throw Contest to an L.A. Columnist’s Daughter [Ball Don’t Lie]
Searching for Dwight Howard [Grantland]
Are Lakers Doomed in Free Agency If Dwight Howard Bolts LA? [Bleacher Report]
NBA News
David Stern: NBA’s Current Flopping Policy ‘Isn’t Enough’ [The Point Forward]
Manu Ginobili to Consider Retirement After NBA Finals [SI Wire]
Detroit Pistons Preparing to Offer Head-Coaching Job to Maurice Cheeks [Yahoo! Sports]
Jason Kidd, Grant Hill Linked By More Than Retirement [USA Today]
Jerry Sloan Once Yelled at His Players For Making Fun of Chris Andersen’s Tattoos [Ball Don’t Lie]
2013 NBA Finals Breakdown – San Antonio Spurs vs. Miami Heat [ESPN]
Lionel Hollins, Grizzlies Likely Parting Ways After Contract Discussions Collapse [Yahoo Sports]
Tim Duncan Most Dominant NBA Player of the Last 15 Years? [The Point Forward]
Kevin Love Confident With Flip Saunders, Minnesota Timberwolves Direction [ESPN]
Hunter S. Thompson’s ESPN Column Now Online [Totally Gonzo]
Tony Parker Faces It All in Game 1 [48 Minutes of Hell]
Gregg Popovich Allows Tony Parker to Expertly Run San Antonio’s Late-Game Huddle [Yahoo Sports]
Do Not Disturb: Gregg Popovich [ESPN]
Five Things to Watch in the NBA Finals [Yahoo! Sports]
Veteran Spurs Play Smart, Cool in Fourth Quarter, Beat Heat 92-88 in Game 1 [ProBasketballTalk]
Roy Hibbert’s Hanging Pictures of His Huge Block on Carmelo Anthony in His ‘Man Cave’ [Ball Don’t Lie]
The Greatest on the Greatest: Jim Murray on Michael Jordan [LA Times]
Phil Jackson Picks San Antonio Spurs to Win NBA Finals [Eye on Basketball]
Nuggets Face Uncertain Summer with George Karl, Masai Ujiri Gone [Sports Illustrated]
Heat Reaction: Grading Miami Heat’s Game 1 in NBA Finals [ESPN]
Karl Being Out in Denver Shakes Up Coaching Hire Carousel [ProBasketballTalk]
Shaquille O’Neal Lost a Shooting Competition to Trick-Shot Titus, a Baby [Ball Don’t Lie]
Tony Parker Leads Spurs over Heat in Game 1 of NBA Finals [NBA]
It’s LeBron Alone Again for Heat, and That Won’t Work [CBSSports.com]
Leonard’s D helps Spurs Contain LeBron [Yahoo! Sports]